2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes

These 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes turn one spotty ripe banana into a warm, bite-sized air fryer treat. Made with mashed banana and self-rising flour, they’re soft, quick, and taste like banana bread with a cozy donut-hole twist.

Better yet, you don’t need yeast, eggs, milk, rising time, or a donut pan. Simply shape the dough, air fry the pieces, and roll them in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm. As a result, you can enjoy a sweet weekend-style treat even on a busy weekday.

One quick note: the “2-ingredient” label refers to the base dough. Although the cinnamon sugar coating is optional, it gives the bites their classic donut-hole finish.

Why You’ll Love These 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes

These banana donut holes are made for real-life kitchens—the kind where breakfast needs to happen fast, the dishwasher is already full, and someone is probably asking what’s for a snack.

Here’s why they work so well:

• Minimal ingredients: You only need ripe banana and self-rising flour for the base dough.
• Fast cook time: The air fryer gets them done in about 6–8 minutes.
• No special baking skills: There’s no yeast, mixer, rolling pin, or donut pan required.
• Great use for ripe bananas: They’re perfect for that spotty banana you don’t want to waste.
• Easy to adapt: Use plant-based butter or coconut oil for a dairy-free or vegan-friendly coating.
• Family-friendly: They’re soft, sweet, bite-sized, and easy for kids to help shape.

These bites aren’t meant to copy deep-fried bakery donuts exactly. Instead, they’re softer, lighter, and more banana-forward—almost like banana bread transformed into snackable little treats. Considering how quickly they come together, that’s a pretty delicious trade.

Ingredients for Banana Donut Holes

The base recipe is wonderfully short. Two ingredients—that’s it.

Ripe Banana

Use ½ cup mashed ripe banana, which is usually about 1 large banana.

For the best flavor, choose a banana that is soft, sweet, and covered with brown speckles. A very ripe banana also creates a smoother dough. A firm yellow banana can still work; however, it may not taste as sweet or mash as easily.

Be sure to measure the banana after mashing it. This step matters more than it sounds because bananas can vary widely in size. Too much banana may make the dough wet and sticky, while too little can make it dry.

For best results:

• Use a very ripe banana.
• Mash it until mostly smooth.
• Measure exactly ½ cup mashed banana.
• Save any extra for oatmeal, smoothies, or pancakes.

Self-Rising Flour

Use ¾ cup self-rising flour.

Self-rising flour gives these donut holes both structure and lift. Because it already contains leavening, the dough can puff up without yeast or additional baking powder.

If you don’t have self-rising flour, make a quick substitute by mixing:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

After mixing the substitute, measure out the amount needed for the recipe.

However, avoid adding too much flour too quickly. The dough should remain sticky and soft rather than dry like bread dough. A little stickiness is an important part of this recipe.

Optional Cinnamon Sugar Coating

The base dough only requires two ingredients, but the coating gives these bites their classic donut-hole personality.

You’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons melted butter, coconut oil, or vegan butter
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

The melted butter or oil helps the cinnamon sugar stick. Meanwhile, the cinnamon sugar adds warmth, sweetness, and a cozy bakery-style finish.

Without the coating, the donut holes still taste good. With it, however, they feel much more like a special treat.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Mash the Banana

Peel the ripe banana and place it in a mixing bowl. Then mash it with a fork until it is mostly smooth.

A few tiny lumps are perfectly fine. Large chunks, on the other hand, may make the dough uneven.

Next, measure out ½ cup mashed banana. This small step helps keep the dough properly balanced.

Using too much banana can make the dough too wet to roll. Conversely, too little banana may cause the donut holes to turn out dry.

Step 2: Add the Self-Rising Flour

Add ¾ cup self-rising flour to the mashed banana.

Using a spatula or spoon, stir until the flour is fully incorporated. At first, the mixture may look shaggy or slightly dry. Keep folding gently, though, because the banana will gradually hydrate the flour.

Eventually, the mixture should form a soft, sticky, and shapeable dough.

Avoid overmixing. As soon as the flour disappears, stop stirring. Otherwise, the donut holes may become dense.

Step 3: Check the Dough Texture

This is where the recipe requires a little flexibility. Because bananas vary in size and moisture, the dough may not behave exactly the same every time.

Ideally, it should be:

• Sticky
• Soft
• Moist
• Able to hold a ball shape
• Easy to handle with lightly oiled hands

If the mixture feels too wet, stir in 1 tablespoon of self-rising flour at a time. On the other hand, if it seems too dry, add a small spoonful of mashed banana.

However, don’t keep adjusting the dough until it becomes completely smooth. A little stickiness is helpful because it leads to softer donut holes after cooking.

Step 4: Shape the Donut Holes

Lightly oil your hands before handling the dough. This makes shaping much easier and prevents you from adding too much extra flour.

Divide the dough into 7–8 small pieces. Then gently roll each piece into a ball.

They don’t need to look perfect. After all, these are homemade banana donut holes, not a pastry school exam.

Still, try to keep the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.

Step 5: Air Fry

First, lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil.

Next, arrange the dough balls in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one. Avoid crowding the basket because hot air needs room to circulate around the dough.

Air fry at 350°F for 6–8 minutes, or until the donut holes are lightly golden and cooked through.

Since air fryers can vary, begin checking them at around 6 minutes. Smaller pieces may also finish sooner.

At first, the outside may look slightly dry. However, this is completely normal, and the warm cinnamon sugar coating will give them a much more appealing finish.

Step 6: Add the Cinnamon Sugar Coating

While the donut holes are cooking, combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Once the donut holes are ready, let them cool just until they are comfortable to handle. Then brush each one with melted butter, coconut oil, or vegan butter before rolling it in the cinnamon sugar.

For the best coverage, add the coating while the bites are still warm. The banana flavor is naturally soft and mellow, while the cinnamon sugar adds sweetness and a cozy donut-shop finish.

Step 7: Serve Warm

Serve the donut holes right away whenever possible.

They taste best while warm, when the centers are soft and the outsides are coated in sweet cinnamon sugar. Pair them with coffee, milk, tea, or a small bowl of yogurt.

The recipe is simple—almost surprisingly simple. Sometimes, though, simple is exactly what works.

Oven Method

No air fryer? Fortunately, these banana donut holes can also be baked in the oven.

First, preheat the oven to 350°F. Next, arrange the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet or place them in a greased mini muffin pan.

Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the centers are cooked through and the outsides are lightly golden.

Compared with the air fryer version, the baked donut holes will be softer and slightly more muffin-like. Although they won’t develop quite the same lightly crisp exterior, they’ll still taste warm, sweet, and cozy.

For a rounder, more even shape, a mini muffin pan works especially well.

Fried Version

For a richer and more traditional donut-hole texture, you can fry the dough instead.

Heat about 1 inch of oil in a small pot to 350°F. Once the oil is ready, carefully add small scoops of dough.

Fry until one side is golden, then turn each piece and cook the other side.

Afterward, transfer the donut holes to a paper towel-lined plate. While they’re still warm, roll them in cinnamon sugar.

Naturally, this version is more indulgent. However, it also requires more oil, cleanup, and attention at the stove.

Therefore, the air fryer method is better for everyday snacking, while the fried version is ideal for an occasional weekend treat.

Tips for the Best 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes

For consistently soft and flavorful donut holes, keep these tips in mind:

• Choose a very ripe banana. The darker and spottier the peel, the sweeter and easier to mash the fruit will be.
• Measure the mashed banana. Rather than relying on “one banana,” measure exactly ½ cup so the dough doesn’t become too wet.
• Keep the dough slightly sticky. A dry or stiff dough can produce dense donut holes.
• Oil your hands before shaping. This makes the dough easier to handle without adding excess flour.
• Leave space in the air fryer. Proper airflow helps the pieces cook more evenly.
• Add the coating while warm. Cinnamon sugar sticks much better to freshly cooked donut holes.

Finally, don’t worry if every piece isn’t perfectly round. A rustic shape is completely normal—and it won’t affect the flavor.

Fun Variations

Once you make the basic version, you can easily play around with different flavors.

Chocolate Banana Donut Holes

Fold a small handful of mini chocolate chips into the dough. Alternatively, drizzle melted chocolate over the finished donut holes.

This variation feels more like dessert, especially when served with a glass of milk.

Peanut Butter Banana Donut Holes

Serve the warm donut holes with peanut butter or almond butter for dipping.

Banana and peanut butter naturally work well together. It’s one of those classic pairings that never tries too hard.

Vanilla Glazed Banana Donut Holes

Skip the cinnamon sugar and drizzle the finished donut holes with a simple vanilla glaze.

This option works especially well for brunch, birthdays, or any time you want the finished bites to look a little more polished.

Lower-Sugar Banana Donut Holes

Skip the sugar coating and dust the donut holes with cinnamon only.

Alternatively, brush them with a small amount of maple syrup for a lighter touch of sweetness.

Coconut Banana Donut Holes

Brush the warm donut holes with coconut oil, then roll them in shredded coconut.

As a result, they develop a gentle tropical flavor without requiring much extra effort.

What to Serve With Banana Donut Holes

These donut holes are sweet, soft, and snackable, so they pair best with simple sides.

For breakfast, serve them with:

• Greek yogurt
• Fresh berries
• Scrambled eggs
• Apple slices
• Coffee or cold brew

For snacks, try:

• Peanut butter dip
• Almond butter
• Milk or oat milk
• Banana slices
• Strawberry yogurt

For dessert, serve them with:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Chocolate sauce
• Warm cinnamon apples
• Whipped cream
• Caramel drizzle

If you’re making these for kids, simply add fruit on the side and call it a win. After all, not every snack needs to be complicated.

Storage and Leftovers

These banana donut holes taste best when served fresh and warm. At that point, the centers are softest and the cinnamon sugar coating has the best texture.

However, leftovers can still be stored successfully. First, allow the donut holes to cool completely. Then place them in an airtight container.

Storage guide:

• Room temperature: Up to 2 days
• Refrigerator: Up to 4 days
• Freezer: Best within 1 month

For freezing, store the donut holes before adding the cinnamon sugar coating. After reheating, brush them with butter or oil and roll them in fresh cinnamon sugar.

To warm them again, air fry at 300–325°F for 2–4 minutes. Alternatively, you can use the microwave, although the texture will become softer rather than lightly crisp.

Nutrition Info

Nutrition values will vary depending on the size of each donut hole and whether you include the cinnamon sugar coating.

Approximate nutrition per donut hole:

• Calories: 80–110
• Carbohydrates: 16–20g
• Protein: 2–3g
• Fat: 1–4g
• Sugar: 5–9g

Because the base dough contains no eggs or dairy, it can easily fit an egg-free or vegan-friendly diet. Simply use plant-based butter or coconut oil for the coating.

For a lighter option, skip the sugar mixture and add only a small dusting of cinnamon.

FAQs

1. Are these really 2-ingredient banana donut holes?

Yes. The base dough uses only ripe banana and self-rising flour. The cinnamon sugar coating is optional; however, it makes them taste more like classic donut holes.

2. Can I use all-purpose flour?

Yes. To make a quick self-rising flour substitute, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. After mixing, measure out the amount required for the recipe.

3. Can I bake them instead of air frying?

Yes. Bake the donut holes at 350°F for about 12–15 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly golden.

4. Why is my dough so sticky?

The banana may be extra ripe or larger than average. In that case, add self-rising flour 1 tablespoon at a time. Lightly oiling your hands will also make the dough much easier to shape.

5. Do they taste like real donuts?

They taste more like banana bread donut holes than classic fried donuts. Nevertheless, the cinnamon sugar coating gives them a stronger donut-style flavor.

Conclusion

These 2-Ingredient Banana Donut Holes are simple, quick, and just sweet enough to feel like a treat. With ripe banana, self-rising flour, and an optional cinnamon sugar coating, they’re perfect for busy mornings, after-school snacks, or a cozy little dessert.

Make them once, and that spotty banana on the counter may never go to waste again.

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